TeamWork!

A number of players stepped up in a total team effort on Saturday for as the Hornets gained a 1-0 victory at Adrian College on a cool and blustery afternoon. The game opened with neither team really finding a rhythm and adapting to the conditions. In the 18th minute of play two Hornet defenders both challenged for a an air ball and incidentally ran into one another. What resulted was two K players having to leave the field as both sustained nasty cuts to the head. Right back Megan Burns and centerback Anja Burk (two pretty tough players) both left the field for medical attention. Already playing without junior Chelsea Smith (scheduled to return Tuesday) the two players leaving the field were replaced on the backline by sophomore midfielders Rachel Pitzer and Maggie Rogers. The rest of the Hornets stepped up their game and 4 minutes later, sophomore Julia Schroeder (pictured above) found some room down the left wing and left a rocket fly from 25 yds out. Hornets 1 Bulldogs 0. It was the first goal Adrian has conceded in their past five contests. In the second half the Bulldogs continued to pressure the Kalamazoo defense but the Hornets proved to be up to the challenge including several "almost" goals on the counterattack from Kalamazoo attackers Emily Gray and Maya Smolcic. A total team effort on the day would result in the Hornets posting their second MIAA win in as many tries and moving their overall record to 4-4-2. It is the first time in 8 years that the Hornets have opened the MIAA season with consecutive wins.

Health Update: So, due to popular demand. It's important to know that senior Anja Burk is doing well after her on field collision with Megan Burns. If you were at the game, you know Megan made a second half return after being cleared by the training staff on site. Anja was not as lucky. A three hour trip to the ER and 12 stitches later she was on her way back to Kalamazoo. A shot of her trophy gash is below. Yes, if you can tell, she is trying not to smile in the picture, but just could not hold back. Certainly, "Anja Tough" will be a phrase all future Hornets will need to become familiar with. Hurry Back!!!

Looking Tough and Trying Not To Smile

GO HORNETS!!!

Alligator...Elephant...Monkey

Coach Wells was in charge of running practice this afternoon. The field proved to be a little slick after rain this morning but the order of the day was finishing and lots of it. Numerous activities going towards goal. Including 3vNone and progressing to 3v3 which was followed by 9v9 going towards goal. However, the goals in this 9v9 activity were set up inside the center circle and back to back. This game was played twice with it being a race to 15. Then the team played a three goal game with rotating keepers. This meant the keepers had a chance to get out of goal and play in the field while some of the field players had the chance to show off what they have in goal. Several unorthodox but nevertheless outstanding saves from the some of the field players throughout the activity. A full practice with lots and lots of attacking repetitions it ended with a riveting game of Alligator...Elephant...Monkey. A cool down game, we can leave it at that. The Hornets will board the bus tomorrow bright and early (7:45am) as they head off to Adrian College in seek of a their second MIAA win. These two teams battled to a 0-0 tie last year in a game that was both physical and hard fought by both teams. Currently, both Kalamazoo and Adrian will carry a 1-0 conference record into the match and 3 valuable points will be at stake beginning at 12:00pm tomorrow. It would be great to see you at the game but in case you can't make it be sure to check out the link to live stats found here: Live Stats


GO HORNETS!!!

Back to the Blog

So after a month's absence we're going to try and give it another shot. The bad news, we haven't updated you in a month. The good news, we're going to try and do our best to keep you updated each day for the next month. Currently, the Hornets stand at 3-4-2, 1-0 in the MIAA, it is the first time that the Hornets have opened the league with a win in 8 years. The Hornets are looking to move for another conference win as they head on the road to Adrian College this Saturday. The team has shown consistent improvement over the course of the first month and is yet to play their best soccer. The quest for consistency continues each day at practice as well as with each match.

The month of October arrived today and the morning was chilly but the sun was out this afternoon and it was a great day for practice. One of those days where breaking a sweat helps to keep you warm. The focus of training included receiving as well as ball winning. Practice concluded with everyone's favorite, about 15 minutes of fitness. Tomorrow will include final preparations before a match against the Bulldogs on Saturday.

GO HORNETS!!!